With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Friday night lights

Both players who were on the Physically Unable to Perform List made it back to practice before Santonio Holmes. That can’t be a good sign for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Verron Haynes and Derek Rehage were activated from the PUP list for Friday night’s practice, while Holmes and Lawrence Timmons, the team’s past two first-round picks, were out of action again.

Ron Stanley looked good in backs on backers drills, the best he’s ever looked in that drill.

Kevan Barlow looked lost at times as a blocker.

Young Carey Davis, who is now also seeing time at fullback, also looked good.

Nate Washington has to get more aggressive over the middle. During passing drills, Tyrone Carter stepped in from of Washington to pick off a pass from Charlie Batch. Washington was looking around for a pass interference call that wasn’t going to come. He didn’t fight for the ball.

Gary Russell also continues to look good running the ball. He made a special cutback on one play, breaking the play to the backside.

The first-team offense looked sharp in red zone, scoring touchdowns on three of five plays versus the first-team defense.